March 8, 2023 · Musqueam Territory/Richmond, B.C.
As travellers prepare to activate vacation mode over the Spring Break period, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is providing an update on passenger numbers and most popular destinations as well as travel reminders to help passengers prepare for a seamless journey through the airport.
Between March 10 – 24, YVR is expecting 880,573 passengers to travel through the airport. This represents 88 per cent of passenger levels seen in 2019, when 1,000,293 passengers travelled during that same period.
During this period, YVR is expecting an average of 58,705 passengers per day with March 24 and 15 projected as the busiest dates.
The most popular destinations passengers are travelling to over the Spring Break period are:
- Domestic: Toronto (YYZ), Calgary (YYC), Edmonton (YEG)
- US: Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Kahului (OGG), Honolulu (HNL), Las Vegas (LAS)
- International: Hong Kong (HKG), Cancun (CUN), Tokyo (NRT), Delhi (DEL), London (LHR)
YVR continues to work closely with the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) and its many partners to deliver a safe and seamless experience for passengers. The airport will also continue to use innovative technology such as its Digital Twin to monitor passenger volumes and airfield capacity and make real-time data-driven decisions that help streamline operations and passenger flows.
The airport continues to recommend that passengers arrive early—up to two hours ahead of scheduled domestic flights and three hours ahead for U.S. and international flights.
Passengers are also encouraged to leverage travel technologies to further enhance their journey through YVR.
For departing travellers:
- US Customs Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app: US Customs and Border Protection released the MPC app that allows travellers to submit information digitally prior to moving through the border process. By using the app, travellers may experience shorter wait times, less congestion, and efficient processing.
- YVR EXPRESS: Passengers travelling domestically or to the U.S. have the option to schedule a specific time for security screening up to 72 hours in advance of their flight by using YVR EXPRESS. After booking on yvr.ca/express, passengers can look for the signage at either ABC Checkpoint (Domestic Departures) or Security Checkpoint E (US Departures).
- jetSet valet parking: Having a parking plan is an important step to consider before driving to YVR. Passengers travelling to the airport by car are now able to reserve their spot for jetSet’s 24/7 valet parking facility at yvr.ca/parking. Customers can enjoy the complementary 24/7 round-trip shuttle service to the Main Terminal.For arriving travellers:
- ArriveCAN app: By using the ArriveCAN app to submit customs and immigration declarations in advance of arrival, travellers will gain access to the Advance CBSA Declaration express lanes at the airport when they arrive in Canada and save time through the border clearance process.
For those picking up a traveller arriving from within Canada, passenger pickup has been temporarily relocated to Level 1 to make way for roadway and sidewalk improvements happening on Level 2.
For the latest travel information, visit yvr.ca or follow the airport on Twitter: @YVRAirport or @YVRAeroport.
ABOUT YVR
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is a diverse global hub that connects people, cargo, data, and ideas and serves as a platform for our community to come together and thrive. We are motivated by supporting regional economic development and making a positive difference in the lives of British Columbians. We do this with a focus on serving our passengers, partners, workers, and community through digital modernization, climate leadership, reconciliation, and financial sustainability.